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    Dollbaby: A Novel
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    Dollbaby: A Novel
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    Dollbaby: A Novel
    Audiobook11 hours

    Dollbaby: A Novel

    Written by Laura Lane McNeal

    Narrated by January LaVoy

    4/5

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    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    When Ibby Bell's father dies unexpectedly in the summer of 1964, her mother unceremoniously deposits Ibby with her eccentric grandmother Fannie and throws in her father's urn for good measure. Fannie's New Orleans house is like no place Ibby has ever been-and Fannie, who has a tendency to end up in the local asylum-is like no one she has ever met. Fortunately, Fannie's black cook, Queenie, and her smart-mouthed daughter, Dollbaby, take it upon themselves to initiate Ibby into the ways of the South, both its grand traditions and its darkest secrets.

    For Fannie's own family history is fraught with tragedy, hidden behind the closed rooms in her ornate Uptown mansion. It will take Ibby's arrival to begin to unlock the mysteries there. And it will take Queenie and Dollbaby's hard-won wisdom to show Ibby that family can sometimes be found in the least expected places.

    For fans of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt and The Help, Dollbaby brings to life the charm and unrest of 1960s New Orleans through the eyes of a young girl learning to understand race for the first time.

    By turns uplifting and funny, poignant and full of verve, Dollbaby is a novel readers will take to their hearts.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateJul 3, 2014
    ISBN9780698171565
    Unavailable
    Dollbaby: A Novel
    Author

    Laura Lane McNeal

    Laura Lane McNeal grew up in New Orleans, where she lives today with her husband and two sons. She graduated from Southern Methodist University. She also has an MBA from Tulane and ran her own marketing consulting firm in New Orleans. This is her first novel.

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    Reviews for Dollbaby

    4/5

    144 ratings34 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal starts with the amazing journey through the life of Ibby who moves in with her grandmother after the death of her father and being abandoned by her mother. More importantly, Dollbaby is the story of the women who touch Izzy’s life and their own personal journeys.The character development was remarkable and I came to love these women, Ibby; her grandmother Fannie; and Fannie’s two maids, Queenie and Dollbaby. These women could not be any different than they are, yet, they love one another in a profound way.Fannie suffers from moments of dark depression, and it is the cause of that depression that slowly unfolds. While secrets are uncovered, we see how each woman has played different, but equally important roles in harboring the truth. I love how their individual stories are so intermingled with one another.The entire story takes place in civil rights era, New Orleans, adding real life drama to the story and with the woman spanning three generations, we get genuine insight to how the movement effected everyone so very differently.It was the ending…that final secret uncovered, that really made this beautiful story worth reading. I was shocked at the ending, full of emotion and so glad that I was fortunate enough to have read Dollbaby. This is the rare book that I would wholeheartedly consider reading again.
    • 5/5
      It's a very rare occurrence that I give a book a five-star rating. But when you close the cover for the last time, feeling as though you are saying goodbye to a friend, you know the book you've just read is a true gem. I know these characters will stay with me for a long while and there are lessons to be learned from the indomitable Miss Fannie and her faithful tribe of amazing women. I would recommend this book to anyone and thought more than once that I truly hope it's optioned for a movie, as McNeal's writing made it so incredibly easy to picture it in my imagination as I read each page. This book deserves to be loved by many.
    • 4/5
      great story!
    • 4/5
      After Ibby's father dies, her mom unceremoniously leaves her with her paternal grandmother, Fanny, in her large New Orleans home. Fanny is attended by African-American maids Queenie and her daughter Dollbaby. This wonderful cast of characters comes together around Fanny, who is emotionally fragile. It takes the book to find out why, and it's a wonderful story. The 1960s in New Orleans is a time of difficult change, as the Civil Rights Act is implemented and people see the possibilities of their lives differently.I loved the characters, and the uniqueness of each of their voices. The novel was paced a bit slow in places, but for the most part the story kept me interested and kept moving. Not everything seemed realistic to me, but that didn't really impact my enjoyment. (Although why do people in novels seem to always have piles of money?) Good read, enjoyable and detailed -- love the depiction of the details of 1960s New Orleans life.
    • 4/5
      Overall, Dollbaby was an excellent book. I found the central portion of the book, which dealt with civil rights, a bit tedious. This is probably because I've recently read several works of fiction about civil rights--otherwise I probably wouldn't have found it so stale. I loved the end of the book and had to cry a while before I could pick up my next read. The book was skillfully written and the life-like characters were introduced in a way that I didn't have to keep looking back to figure out who is who. Highly recommended.
    • 4/5
      An interesting look at what family means in the midst of the civil rights movement in New Orleans.
    • 4/5
      An rich and atmospheric tale of a young girl left to live with her grandmother in 1960s New Orleans. Ibby struggles to understand the strictly stratified world she has entered, in which black and white people are kept separate, but the black servants in her grandmother's house also behave as much like family as servants. I really enjoyed this book and appreciated how well it invoked the atmosphere and culture of New Orleans, but also how it portrayed both black and white characters with a range of personalities and motivations.
    • 3/5
      Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal is a recommended family saga - maybe highly recommended, at least what I read, but more on that later.

      Liberty Bell, known as Ibby, was unceremoniously dropped off at her grandmother Fannie's house in New Orleans, along with the urn containing her father's ashes, by her mother just a couple weeks after her father died. Having grown up in Olympia, Washington, Ibby is new to the ways of the South. Fannies cook, Queenie, her daughter, Babydoll, are there to help Ibby negotiate her way with her grandmother, who just wants to be called Fannie, as well as Southern society during some years when big transitions are happening.

      The novel opens in 1964 and then proceeds to the 70's. Obviously these were turbulent times in the country, but especially the South. Fannie has secrets she is hiding too about which Ibby hears hints and insinuations.

      From what I read this is a well written novel that does an excellent job establishing character development and the setting. I was enjoying it immensely when my advanced digital reading copy, provided courtesy of the Penguin First to Read Program, expired today, July 3. I was planning to finish the book and post the review today. I understand that Penguin wanted reviews done in a timely manner, but this "by July third" apparently meant before July third because that was when your digital copy would no longer be available. It's difficult to give an accurate rating on a book that I haven't read the ending of due to the publisher's ill-conceived rule.
    • 4/5
      I enjoyed the story and atmosphere immensely. I love stories that take place in big, old houses with lots of mysteries and family secrets. I would have given it five stars, except for some odd uses of language and ideas that did not ring true to the time period and pulled me out of the story. For example, two boys playing in the 1940s called each other "retards," which I have never heard used as a derogatory term until the last ten years or so.
    • 4/5
      In this coming-of-age story set in the Civil Rights era, Ibby is dropped off at the home of her eccentric grandmother in New Orleans after the death of her beloved father. Filled with colorful characters, family secrets and lots of New Orleans tidbits, this book will appeal to fans of Saving Ceecee Honeycutt.
    • 4/5
      There is nothing better than a Southern story set in New Orleans that spans decades. Liberty Bell (Ibby) has been dropped off at her grandmother's house after the death of her father. Abandoned by her mother, she is raised by her grandmother Fannie and Fannie's maids Queenie and Doll. As Ibby grows up, we learn about the secrets that have been buried in the past. I really loved this novel. For fans of The Help, this is one you need to pick up!

      This was an ARC from Netgalley.
    • 5/5
      A first novel by Laura Lane McNeal and I will watch for her to write more, and hopefully soon! I love reading any thing set in the South, about New Orleans, and quirky southern family members. Little Ibby is well taken care of after being dropped at her grandmothers to live. Good book.
    • 5/5
      This is Laura Lane McNeal's first novel and she is off to a great start. I look forward to reading her future books. Dollbaby is a coming of age novel that takes place in New Orleans in the late 60s. Ibby is dropped off at her grandmother's house by her mother, after her father dies. She had never met her grandmother and is terrified. She is met and immediately accepted by the maids, Dollbaby and Queenie who are very important people in the novel, along with her grandmother Fannie. The book is full of mystery and fun and all the obstacles that Ibby faces as she grows up. Its a great book for people who enjoy Southern fiction and for people who just want to read a great novel.
    • 4/5
      I received an advance uncorrected proof via a First Reads giveaway on Goodreads. Thank you to Paula Dorman Books for the opportunity. Following is my honest opinion of this book.I understand this is the first book by author Laura Lane McNeal, and I'm thinking she's off to a great start on her writing career! I would be very interested in reading more by this author.I enjoyed this book very much, and was intrigued by the characters. The plot twists and turns kept me fascinated and dying to know what would happen next. The book was recommended to those who liked The Help, and I agree with that. But I found the dialogue in Dollbaby much each easier to read and understand. Thanks again to the publisher. And to the author, keep 'em coming!
    • 5/5
      (Warning: This does contain spoilers.) I loved this book! I was hooked from the beginning. I was drawn to Ibby, Fannie, Quennie, and Dollbaby. McNeal paints a nostaligic portrait of 1960's New Orleans from 1964-1972. There were a couple of characters whose actions I did not understand. I don't really understand why Graham was sent to boarding school.(I know the reason, but would Fannie and Norwood really do that?) I couldn't understand why Norwood would abandon Fannie after what happened with Muddy. (Not if he loved her the way he seemed to love her.) And I can't understand Fannie's actions in the end. Even though she did suffer from mental illness, I would think her life with Ibby would keep her from doing that. That being said, I did truly love this book and could not put it down. I look forward to MnNeal's next book. In response to those reviewers who felt it was too much like The Help, Secret Life of Bees, Etc., I disagree. Although they are all southern novels that deal with racial issues, Dollbaby stands on it's own. I highly recommend this book!Read this book if:*you love southern fiction*you love coming of age novels*you love stories that take place in New Orleans*you love stories that take place in the 1960's
    • 4/5
      Many thanks to Netgalley.com for providing an advanced digital copy of Dollbaby by Laura L. McNeal in exchange for my honest review.I have mixed feelings about Dollbaby by Laura L. McNeal. I expected to love it, but there was something missing for me. It is confusing because I found the story to be interesting with well-developed characters, but there was too much telling and not enough of a gradual revelation by the reader. Allowing the reader to discover the truth on his/her own provides much more impact than being told what to think and what to feel, Historical events can unfold without having the meaning explicitly spelled out for the reader. It seemed more like a Young Adult novel than adult fiction, but my opinion is clearly in the minority as this book comes highly recommended and reviewed.
    • 4/5
      3.5 A coming of age story set in New Orleans during the era of Civil Rights. A story that is gently and atmospherically told, filled with secrets, family and tragedies from the past that have a strong hold on the present.It is, however, the characters that make this novel so special. Ibby I 12 hers old, her father recently dead, when she is dropped at her grandmothers house, by her mother. A grandmother she had never met and had been told by her mother many bad things. There she meets two wonderfully drawn black women named Queenie, the other Queenie's daughter who they call Dollbaby. Her grandmother is a generous, often overwhelmed woman, whose life holds many personal struggles and secrets. The rich characterizations of these characters is amazing.We get little bit of the music scene, a visit to the black community and their church when President Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act, and a Vietnam War protest a Tulane. We watch Ibby grow and as secrets are revealed, her struggle to understand the woman who is her grandmother. A wonderfully written Southern novel, full of the atmosphere that is still found in New Orleans today.ARC from publisher.
    • 5/5
      I loved this book. Fannie was an amazing character, Every few chapters you learned something new about her. By the end you got her full story, which was heartbreaking. Fannie started with nothing, had a few bumps along the way but in the end she had a loving family that included Queenie, Doll, and Ibby. It wasn't all sad, there were many humorous moments, especially when the fallen tree traps Fannie on the couch. While reading it, I kept thinking this would make a great movie. I enjoyed the style of writing and look forward to reading more from the author.
    • 5/5
      I receive quite a few ARCs and always have a neat selection to choose from. I was genuinely happy that I picked this one to read. Let me first say this, I was/AM a major fan of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman. How I loved that book!! Now I have a new favorite coming-of-age story called Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal. Loved it!! It gave me such a home-y feel as I read. I always know when I am going to like a book and that feeling comes when I can visualize myself hanging out with the characters in the story. What made this book even more imaginable for me was the familiarity of the books setting of New Orleans. Amongst the old homes and oaks on Prytania or the mere mention of St. Charles Avenue, I could picture Ibby and Birdelia, (me tagging along) walking down the beautiful sidewalks and waiting for the streetcars or going for a shaved ice snowball. I could smell the delicious aromas of French-Creole cuisine coming from the tables and kitchen at Antoine's as Ibby and her grandmother, Fannie, dined for Ibby's birthday. The setting of Dollbaby was enchanting. I spent many years in New Orleans and had quite the love affair with this beautiful city and like Fannie, I also grew up "from around Mamou" (Opelousas) and even Ville Platte got a mention. The story that unfolds here is one that will remain a cherished book on my shelf. It does help that McNeal grew up in NOLA. That doesn't mean that I automatically loved this because it's written about my home state. Knowing the book was set in Louisiana IS what initially brought me to the title. The great writing and wonderful, creative, always-surprising storyline was the STICKING POINT. McNeal really captured the imagination of this reader but it was Ibby, Dollbaby, Queenie, Birdelia, and Fannie who stole my heart!! These are great southern fiction women personified. Liberty Bell, AKA Ibby, eventually grows into her southern roots.The story begins in mid-1960's New Orleans. Liberty Bell is carelessly ditched at the doorstep of a paternal grandmother she has never met by a mother who is selfish, unkind, and partially blames Ibby for the unexpected death of Ibby's beloved father. Ibby is a 12-year old girl transplanted from Olympia, Washington to NOLA and a southern way of life that she has no clue about. Greeting her at the door is Dollbaby, or Doll, the 23-yr. old housemaid/sewer for Fannie, the eccentric grandmother Ibby is introduced to. Queenie is Doll's mother and the cook and I suspect that Queenie has always run the show in this house. There is no doubt that Queenie is in charge. Eventually we meet Birdelia, who is Doll's young, sassy daughter. Each will play a pivotal role in Ibby's life as she grows from a scared, unsure, lonely girl to a woman who will find her true home in the world, uncovering long buried family secrets along the way. "Whenever there's a loss, there's bound to be a gain somewhere else.You just have to know where to look for it."Lovely!!
    • 4/5
      I received this from the publishers via Netgalley.This novel is set in New Orleans, near the french quarter in 1960 and spans over the course of 12 years. Ibby's father has just tragically passed away and 11 year-old Ibby is being thrust into a new state and a new home of her grandmother Frannie's, whom she didn't even know existed until a few days before her father passed away. Ibby's mom says she just needs time away and although she's never said a nice word about Frannie, she leaves Ibby to stay with her. Ibby is terrified and immediately receives a culture shock. She's never talked to a black person and Frannie's housekeepers are mom and daughter, Queenie and Dollbaby. They are out-spoken and kind, and they have their hands filled with keeping Frannie in a right state. They run over the rules with Ibby, explaining that Frannie is a unique woman and you should never ask her about her past or she's liable to go into a frantic state. Ibby soon learns that Frannie has bouts of where she needs to "go away for a while to rest" at a local mental institution and Queenie and Doll just explain that sometimes the sadness gets too much for dear Fannie. Ibby meets and befriends Doll's young daughter Birdelia, and Dollbaby, Queenie, and Frannie all make Ibby feel comfortable at home. Slowly but surely Ibby discovers that there are many secrets among the women of the household and that not everything is exactly as it seems. Ibby learns that family comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors and that you can't prevent things from happening but you learn to roll with the punches. The ending was awesome. At times this book was slow for me, but it would pick up slowly but surely. The story was just beautiful and I finished it with a full understanding of where everyone was coming from. I can't get the southern twang out of my mouth though, I could picture Queenie talking as the words flowed onto the page. I really loved all the characters and had an emotional attachment to each of them!
    • 4/5
      Ibby Bell's mother has decided to abandon her with a newly, to her, discovered grandmother in a strange, faraway place after her father's sudden passing. She's convinced she will be miserable and will just have to count days til her mother returns. How long will she wait? Could there be anything good in this weird house?A powerful, emotionally charged narrative guides characters and readers through turmoils of the 60s-70s as well as personal struggles.Characters are authentic, emotional, caring, and develop as the story progresses.Overall, a compelling read.
    • 5/5
      Not what I expected, it was much, much better.
      You aren’t preached to and forced to learn a lesson, you get a small taste of what life was like in New Orleans in the 60’s, but that isn’t the main point of the story.
      This is a funny, tender story about a 12 year old girl dumped at her very eccentric grandmother’s house and what her life was like being raised by said grandmother and her black help.
      There are even a few surprises in the book.
    • 4/5
      It is 1964 in New Orleans, Ibby Bell's dad has died after a fall. Her mother brings her to her grandmother's, Fannie's, house to live, along with his ashes in an urn. This starts Ibby and Frannie's life together. Queenie, the maid, along with her daughter, Dollbaby take Ibby under their wing. The civil rights act gets signed by LBJ and there is some racial tension in the community, which is portrayed in the novel. Frannie has seen a lot of tragedy in her life, and her story is told to Ibby by Queenie and Dollbaby. As her story is revealed over the years, Ibby understands Frannie's connection to Queenie, Dollbaby, and well as to others in the town. Ibby learns so much about her grandmother's past and how she touched so many.A beautifully told story of a tumultuous time in our history.
    • 4/5
      One of the best books I've read this year. I loved the strong characters and their interactions with each other. It wasn't until the very end of the book that I realized why the book was titled such. I really loved this story.
    • 3/5
      reviewed from galley (thanks to penguin debut authors club)

      It's hard to read a book set in the 1960s South without comparing to The Help, but if I try to be objective I'd say that "gentle" is pretty accurate. I enjoyed it but would not call it a standout.
    • 3/5
      Cute and enjoyable... This was a cute and pleasurable novel. I knocked off a star because at times it just seemed a little too far fetched for me. It was a pleasurable and interesting read. There were several laugh out loud moments and some touching moments. Fannie was an interesting character and there was a bit of a twist at the end that I was not expecting. However, the ending had me like "Is that it?", which is why I knocked off another half star. Maybe I need to reread the ending.
    • 5/5
      I almost took a pass on this one. Had no idea why I got it from the library! GLAD I gave it a shot! Historical fiction - the south in the 60s. GREAT READ! Just when you think it's done... there's more to be explained.
    • 5/5
      The plot was riveting. Being from the south, I loved the characters. They reminded me of my grandmother and other relatives. I especially enjoyed the family-like relationship shared between the help and their employers as well as the inclusion of historical events like segregation and the accompanying sit-ins. Thank you for such a well written novel that brings to light the often overlooked majority of southerners that are not ignorant and racist.
    • 5/5
      I have a great love for New Orleans so this story and it’s characters was especially fascinating. I especially enjoyed how so many loose ends came together, in an unexpected way. Loved this read!
    • 4/5
      After her father’s death, Liberty “Ibby” Bell’s mother deposits her on the doorstep of her grandmother, the occasionally crazy Miss Fannie. Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal is a story of a few quirky characters living in Civil Rights-era New Orleans. McNeal’s story is filled with eccentric characters, southern charm, and the battle to de-segregate, but it seems like she’s trying to do too much. Too many characters have too many secrets. Too many coincidental tragedies drive the plot until it all starts to collapse under its own weight. A lot of people liked this one a lot, but it wasn’t a big hit for me.